Executive Director for Culture, Community and Equity

A cover letter is required for consideration for this position and should be attached as the first page of your resume. The cover letter should address your specific interest in the position and outline skills and experience that directly relate to this position.

Summary

The Executive Director Culture, Community and Equity serves as a member of the Michigan Engineering Dean’s cabinet, with strategic responsibility for promoting and enabling inclusive excellence for faculty, students, and staff. The position reports directly to the Dean with some functional supervision received from the Associate Dean for Academic Affairs and the Chief of Staff.

The Executive Director Culture, Community and Equity provides leadership, expertise, and vision for Michigan Engineering’s model for diversity and inclusion. The position serves in a collaborative and coordinating role with college leadership and department and unit employees who are responsible for diversity and inclusion activities. The Executive Director Culture, Community and Equity facilitates sharing of best practices and identifies opportunities for greater alignment and more unified efforts across Michigan Engineering.

Priorities for this role are strategy and engagement; coordination and alignment; communications and issues management; and an assessment framework. Working with the appropriate cabinet members and other unit leadership, the Executive Director Culture for Community and Equity will focus on learning and research; recruitment and retention of students, faculty, and staff; community relations; and assist in college communications.

Who We Are

Michigan Engineers are world-class educators, researchers, students and staff who strive to build a people-first future. As part of the nation’s number one public research institution, Michigan Engineering’s mission is to provide scientific and technological leadership to the people of the world, develop intellectually curious and socially conscious minds, create collaborative solutions to societal problems, and promote an inclusive and innovative community of service for the common good.

Our vision, mission and values are supported by a people-first engineering framework that guides our work. As Michigan Engineers, we strive to apply excellent engineering fundamentals, integrated expertise and equity-centered values to reimagine what engineering can be, close critical gaps, and elevate all people. Information about our vision, mission and values can be found at: http://strategicvision.engin.umich.edu/

The University of Michigan has a storied legacy of commitment to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI). Michigan Engineering models that commitment in our research, culture and collaborations. We seek to recruit and retain a diverse workforce as a reflection of that commitment. Learn more about DEI at Michigan Engineering: https://www.engin.umich.edu/culture/diversity-equity-inclusion/

Why Work at Michigan?

In addition to a career filled with purpose and opportunity, The University of Michigan offers a comprehensive benefits package to help you stay well, protect yourself and your family and plan for a secure future. Benefits include:

• Generous time off
• A retirement plan that provides two-for-one matching contributions with immediate vesting
• Many choices for comprehensive health insurance
• Life insurance
• Long-term disability coverage
• Flexible spending accounts for healthcare and dependent care expenses
• Maternity and Parental Leave

Responsibilities*

• Coordinate the College’s DEI strategic planning and implementation activities
• Coordinate and assist in the implementation of the DEI initiatives across the College of Engineering.
• Serve as a DEI content and practitioner expert for College units as needed.
• Manage the Office of Culture, Community and Equity (OCCE) including direct supervision of OCCE’s Managing Director.
• Develop and consult with a high profile external advisory board to assist with strategic planning and metrics of success.
• Assist with the recruitment and retention of underserved student populations.
• Collaborate with ADAA and Sr. Executive Director of RPM to develop and achieve faculty and staff DEI objectives.
• Assist with communicating DEI and culture priorities and progress.
• Provide assistance and leadership in grant writing and fundraising

Required Qualifications*

Michigan Engineering seeks a proven leader with demonstrated vision and the ability to execute for results. The successful candidate must have a thorough understanding of the challenges and opportunities present at a large, comprehensive research university or comparably complex enterprise; a record as a champion of diversity and inclusion; and an enthusiasm for advancing Michigan Engineering’s strategic initiatives. In addition, candidates should possess the following:

• Master’s degree (Doctorate preferred) in a related field with five years of relevant experience.
• Ability to develop a clear vision and strategy consistent with Michigan Engineering’s mission and values.
• Demonstrated leadership skills that result in the production of high-quality services and exceptional standards.
• Strategic thinking with the capability of contributing at the senior administrative level and leading other leaders.
• Experience implementing and managing effective diversity change efforts.
• Exceptional communication and interpersonal skills that reflect effective listening and authentic engagement with individuals at all levels.
• Strong collaboration skills with individual and group partners.
• Ability to facilitate and sustain a culture of trust and confidence.
• Knowledge of contemporary issues of inclusion, social justice, diversity, access, and equity, including the current scholarship and educational approaches that inform and address these issues.
• Fundamental knowledge of how varied forms of institutional data can be leveraged to benchmark and track accountability for the diversity mission.
• Understanding of laws, regulations, and policies related to equity and diversity in higher education.

Additional Information

A higher salary may be considered for an extraordinarily qualified candidate.

Background Screening

The University of Michigan conducts background checks on all job candidates upon acceptance of a contingent offer and may use a third party administrator to conduct background checks. Background checks are performed in compliance with the Fair Credit Reporting Act.

Application Deadline

Job openings are posted for a minimum of seven calendar days. The review and selection process may begin as early as the eighth day after posting. This opening may be removed from posting boards and filled anytime after the minimum posting period has ended.